Like other automakers, GM is clamping down on international travel as the coronavirus spreads.
General Motors is carefully monitoring the coronavirus outbreak around the world in a continuing effort to minimize its impact on the company’s employees and operations, GM executives said.
“It’s real,” GM President Mark Reuss told reporters as he discussed the dangers inherent in the spread of the virus.
GM chairman Mary Barra said no GM employees have gotten sick from the coronavirus, but GM has had to shut down its extensive operations in China to prevent its spread. GM also not allowing its employees in North America to travel to China, said Barra, who normally travels to China regularly.
(Automakers rein in and even ban travel as coronavirus epidemic spread.)
“We have also restricted international employee travel until further notice, Barra told reporters after GM held an extensive briefing on the company’s plans for electric vehicles at the company’s technical center in Warren, Michigan, north of Detroit.
General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra said the company hasn’t had any reported case of employees contracting the coronavirus.
Ford Motor Co., Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., which is in the midst of a transnational merger, and the United Auto Workers union also have put in place restrictions on air travel both domestically and internationally.
The UAW International Executive Board on Tuesday voted to implement a travel ban for all international and domestic travel as a precaution.
“This is a precautionary action not meant to elicit concern, but to help in dealing with the spread of this epidemic,” said Rory Gamble, president of the UAW. “Road travel will be permitted, and we will provide all personnel education on best practices when on the road or in the workplace.”
The UAW’s International Executive Board will review and monitor the policy as the epidemic subsides.
(China using subsidies to kick-start auto sales in wake of coronavirus outbreak.)
“In the meantime, the UAW continues to review in all our sectors the supply chain and status of our workplaces,” said Gamble. “Our health and safety department will also continue to carefully monitor best practices and work with all employers to educate our members, their families and our communities on safety and prevention,” the union said in a statement.
UAW President Rory Gamble announced the union is putting a temporary ban on international travel.
Barra said GM also set up teams to monitor the flow of automobile parts across the globe, which has been interrupted in some cases by the spread of the coronavirus, Barra said. The teams inside GM are constantly monitoring the situation both to keep material flowing and to keep employees safe, she said.
So far, though, GM operations in North America have not been interrupted because of parts shortages linked to the virus. “We think we will be able to make through this month,” Barra told reporters after the briefing on electric vehicles. “We are hoping for the best,” she said, noting the situation is quite fluid.
Last month, GM warned the UAW officials it could be forced to close key truck plants in Flint, Michigan, and Arlington, Texas, because of parts shortages created by the virus.
During the briefing, Barra said GM expects to spend $20 billion on electric and autonomous vehicles between now and 2025.
(Global auto sales expected to fall 2.5% this year as coronavirus impact spreads.)
“It’s already funded,” Barra told reporters. The money will be used for two-dozen new vehicles. GM hopes by mid-decade to be able to sell 1 million electric vehicles annually in the company’s two largest markets in North America and with the joint venture partners in China, Barra said.